Alia's voyage

I am on my way --Hooray!  With amazing help from Kristi, I was off an hour late, got mobile home ready to leave for a few months, got lost to waste a little more time, and made it into Georgia and a very nice Days Inn,  to take a swim, watch most of an incredible PBS of FDR and a good night's sleep.  I am 100 mile behind, may make it up today--we'll see. I made good my promise to stop at (nearly) every rest stop. Sending you love, Alia

Well this is it! I will leave in about 2 hours, ready or not.  Hugs, Alia

 Intense--Anxious--Emyxhausted!  Only 2 days left, oh my. Things are going well, but still so much to do. The car is mostly packed. That should make me feel fine, but I know how much is left to do. I am already thinking that spending my first night in a motel might be a great idea. Question: "Why is an elephant big, grey, and wrinkled?" Have you given up on me yet? "Because he was small, white, and round, he would be an aspirin." Thank you so much for all your good wishes and love. Mine go out to you too.

 Good morning, dear ones. It is a beautiful day 73degrees at 7:30 AM Did you know your nose cannot be 12" long--(or it would be a foot). Yesterday was a big organizing day, and by late afternoon I was mentally wiped out. My mobile home is a disaster area, but everything is going well. Thanks for following my blog, and welcome to newcomers. Blessings to all, Alia

 Oh,oh! Only six days to go. Breathe in, breathe out. "Why won't the shrimp share their treasure?" (see below) So my house looks like I am moving--stuff for a 3-5 month journey is kind of like moving. The weather here got to 101 in the shade yesterday; people stay in their AC homes, except for the many who never got to Florida this year. When we are mostly in our 80s or 90s, many illnesses change our lives, like stroke, heart issues, eye problems, operations etc. etc. Many challenges. Tomorrow Kristi and I will take all the boxes from the car, make sure they are labelled, make a plot plan so those I need accessible are and those who won't be needed are less so. Today is my last medical appointment to see my heart machine medic, even though many nights it will not be used with no electricity. My first night will be in Cordele, Georgia--that's next Wednesday. Answer to first line: "Because they're shellfish!" Enjoy all the birds and flowers and floweri...

 It looks like there is a way to make comments if you wish--Thanks, Jan, for yours. Venice beach with Carol and Morty.

Do you know why a bicycle can't stand on it own? (see below) Do you know why the baker became a thief? (see below) It is getting real! However, changing to the day after Memorial Day has been a reprieve. It means I have time for fun things, like a last trip to the beach, my Spanish lessons, uke practice, painting etc. And really good packing for the trip and closing up my  home here. I have to say that my helper and friend Kristie is making it so much better, moral and literal support when I get weak in all ways. 1) "It's just too tired." 2) "Because he kneaded the dough" Now I must go tend my garden--watering and weeding. Blessings to you, Alia

 Hello again. First I want to ask you "What do you call a dog who does magic??" (Answer at end of message) When I looked at my calendar again, and realized that I would get to the Grand Canyon too soon, so I am thinking of not leaving until May 30, after the Memorial Day weekend. Update as I figure it out. "A Labracadabrador".  Be Happy.😊

On the news this morning I heard a prediction of the worst ever holiday traffic for Memorial Day weekend, so I may leave May 25 to get out of Florida before it begins. As well as not loving driving in Florida, I will not be sad to leave DeSantisland--(as yet they have not set up ghettos or had road fires for burning books or imprisoned pregnant women so they will not have accidental miscarriages). A quote from Jane Armstrong: "Living your naked truth will always disturb those living well-dressed lies." Today I filled more "totes", one with warm clothes which will be less accessible until New England in September, though one never know these days what weather will be anywhere! Again, thank you for your wishes.

 I have just has a lovely weekend with my friends Carol and Morty in Venice Florida, with two trips to the beach, a beautiful sunset and delicious food.  Friday in Palmetto we had ferocious thunder and then very loud rain with hail as big as big marbles. I gott botted on the head with one a small marble size! I think an inch of rain in 1/2 hour. Packing and tying loose ends goes on. Appreciation for my mother and all those who mothered me, and blessings to all those who mother. 

  Did you hear about the snowman that got upset when the sun came out? He had a total meltdown. It was over 95 degrees in the shade yesterday--explains why all the snowbirds have headed north!  I am filling more of my 12 totes/crates/etc. My helper Kristi and I took them all out of the car and labelled those which were ready. It will be the most organized trip I have ever orchestrated. The bed in the car looks inviting. I got lost in Bradenton again yesterday, trying to find the lab building on Manatee Avenue, which is one way each way, and the traffic flies, so getting on and off is confusing. Getting on highways and just driving looks pretty easy right now, but I am sure I will be able to get lost in cities looking for Cracker Barrels where I will be sleeping my first 4 nights, or the occasional motel. My thanks.

Today was organizing the plan of car, with tent and camping equipment less accessible, and other things available. Planning for all kinds of weather and all conditions at campgrounds, homes, motel rooms, hostels and whatever else. It is going well. Most neighbors and friends have gone north or are getting ready to go.. My car had been checked with AC fixed and is good to go. My body has been checked and meds filled, and is good to go. All is well.  Love and appreciation to all who are following my trip.

 Of possible interest, I have lived in 32 homes for at least 2 months in 9 states, as well as out school bus, an RV, and currently, my car. I have also had at least 23 jobs in 6 states--I can't remember all of them! All these in 66 years for jobs and 87 years for homes. Hasta luego

A friend suggested that I tell you about myself, even though most of you know me already. I moved to florida 3 years ago, into a single-wide mobile home in a park with many other old folks. I am 87 myself, and except for an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy), I can do everything I need to do, though slowly with lots of lie-down times. I miss the greens, the fall leaves, the spring flowers and most of all my friends and family. This trip was inspired by re-learning about John Muir, who was a hero of mine when I was a young woman, and renewed while reading the history of the National Parks. John spent many many hours just "being" in the parks. I realized I have travelled a lot, but seldom just "being", experiencing the wonders and the beauty of these parks. So I have mapped out a journey where I shall spend  a few days in several parks, and can also visit many family members who live on the west coast and some friends on my way It is scary because of my not-quite-perfect...

 A friend suggested that I tell you about myself, even though most of you know me already. I moved to florida 3 years ago, into a single-wide mobile home in a park with many other old folks. I am 87 myself, and except for an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy), I can do everything I need to do, though slowly with lots of lie-down times. I miss the greens, the fall leaves, the spring flowers and most of all my friends and family. This trip was inspired by re-learning about John Muir, who was a hero of mine when I was a young woman, and renewed while reading the history of the National Parks. John spent many many hours just "being" in the parks. I realized I have travelled a lot, but seldom just "being", experiencing the wonders and the beauty of these parks. So I have mapped out a journey where I shall spend  a few days in several parks, and can also visit many family members who live on the west coast and some friends on my way It is scary because of my not-quite-perfec...

Today I will go through all camping equipment, and take only what is needed. Getting a little anxious, but eager. 24 days left, all things going well. Thank you for your interest and concerns. I will check my email whenever possibles, so you can write me there. "Be happy, don't worry", and remember the poor old lady who swallowed a fly--____________________!

 My tentative plan is to leave on my 10,000 mile trip across the US on May 26, 2023. Welcome!